Samsung Gear Fit 2 review – CNET
The Good The Gear Fit 2 has a slim design with a beautiful curved AMOLED display that can show smartphone notifications and weekly charts. It also has GPS, heart-rate monitoring, onboard music storage for up to 1,000 songs, all-day fitness and sleep tracking, and automatic exercise detection.
The Bad Short battery life. The accuracy of the heart-rate sensor fluctuates during workouts. You can’t wear in the shower or while swimming. No iPhone support. Samsung’s S Health app can be confusing.
The Bottom Line The Gear Fit 2 is a great-looking feature-packed fitness band, but its design isn’t always perfect for hardcore workout warriors.
Samsung got my attention with the Gear Fit 2. It had everything I looked for in a fitness tracker: all-day fitness tracking, heart rate, GPS for tracking pace and distance when running, smartphone notifications, inactivity alerts and automatic exercise detection. It even had some features I never even thought I would use, such as onboard music storage, and water and caffeine tacking.
The Fit 2 is more than just a fitness tracker. It’s a sort of like a mini fitness smartwatch. There are a variety of appealing watch faces to choose from, you can view and respond to notifications from your Android phone right on your wrist, and there’s a built-in Spotify app.
Hands-on with the Samsung Gear Fit 2
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I also can’t forget about the design. The curved screen and beautiful AMOLED display is appealing to look at and feels comfortable on the wrist. And I really like the price. The Fit 2 is available now for $179 (about £125, AU$250), significantly less than the comparable Microsoft Band 2, Garmin Vivosmart HR+ and Fitbit Surge. Unfortunately, it’s only available for Android devices.
When it’s all said and done, however, I’m not in love with the band. I actually look forward to taking it off and going back my Fitbit and Garmin watches. Here’s why:
A mini fitness smartwatch, but with limited apps
The Fit 2 is like a slimmed-down version of Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch. It has the same fitness features and notifications (and those features are both very good), but it’s missing app support. There are some basic apps, like a stopwatch and a timer. The one to care about is the Spotify app, which lets you control and access your playlists right from your wrist. Unfortunately, you still need a phone connected to use it.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
There is 4GB of space so you can load up to 1,000 of your favorite songs right to the device, but who buys music anymore? It would have been a game changer if you were able to load Spotify playlists right on the device for offline use. Hopefully this is something that will come sometime down the road, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Running is frustrating
I was excited when Samsung told me the Fit 2 has GPS. As an avid runner and cyclist, it’s an essential feature to measure my pace, speed and distance. Working out with the Fit 2, however, has been nothing but frustrating. Novice runners may not have the same problems I did, but it’s clear this isn’t designed for serious athletes.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Most devices with GPS require you to wait until a signal is acquired. When you start a running exercise with the Fit 2, it immediately begins to countdown from three seconds and starts the timer. Each time I had to pause the band and wait for the signal to be acquired, which was never a fast ordeal. The Garmin and Polar watches I used for comparison acquired GPS within a few seconds. Meanwhile, the Fit 2 took a few minutes each time.
The other problem is that beautiful screen. There’s a special outdoor mode that increases brightness and makes it easy to see, but the screen isn’t always on. Instead, it wakes up when you move your arm to your face, which isn’t easy to pull off mid-run. And it isn’t even very responsive.
Nest Learning Thermostat (2015) review – CNET
The Good The next-gen Nest Learning Thermostat has a larger display, a better resolution and an all-new far-field sensor for viewing time and temperature information from a distance. It works with Amazon’s Alexa, too.
The Bad Nest is behind in the accessories department; remote temperature sensors would add a lot to this smart thermostat’s functionality.
The Bottom Line Nest is still our choice for best overall smart thermostat, but it isn’t massively different from the second-gen model and the gap is narrowing as other brands introduce solid competitors.
Editors’ note, June 10, 2016: This review has been updated to include information on Nest’s integration with Amazon Alexa, as well as its new Family Accounts and Home/Away Assist features.
Nest has already had a busy year, with a new home security camera and a new smoke and carbon monoxide detector, as well as checking off a major overhaul of its companion Android and iPhone apps from the corporate to-do list. But now the Google-owned smart-home company is returning to its roots with the launch of its third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat.
The new model uses an all-new design with a larger screen and slimmer profile, plus it adds a couple of new features to the mix. Like the original Nest — which launched back in 2011 — the third-gen iteration of its heating and cooling control system relies on built-in sensors to track your whereabouts along with algorithmic smarts to create a custom, auto-adjusting temperature schedule based on those movements in the home. And you can still make manual tweaks to your settings on the Nest app anywhere you have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
But those once-revolutionary features are now par for the smart-home course, with brands like Ecobee and Honeywell offering smart thermostats of their own designed to compete alongside Nest in the DIY market.
Fortunately for Nest, version 3.0 ups the ante with an even-more-gorgeous-than-before design and the introduction of a far-field sensor for viewing the current time and temperature from a distance as well as integration with Alexa-friendly Amazon products. The US-only third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat enters the more competitive landscape for the same $249 price as its predecessor — any remaining second-gen models will retail at the reduced price of $199 while supplies last — but I can still wholeheartedly recommend it as a truly smart heating and cooling upgrade.
Take a tour of Nest’s third-gen thermostat…
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Design
You know how your smartphone doesn’t look dated until you catch a glimpse of the next-gen model? That’s exactly how I felt after seeing Nest’s latest Learning Thermostat. No, it isn’t a massive departure from past iterations. You’ll still get that same rounded design, stainless-steel dial and familiar display style. But, there are a few key changes.
The third-generation thermostat has a 40 percent larger screen and an improved resolution for better all-around visibility. (Specifically, the display has 229 pixels per inch; that’s 25 percent more than its predecessor, which should make for a sharper on-screen image.) And, Nest slimmed down the thermostat’s profile so it won’t stick out from the wall as much.
While I noticed the updated display size and resolution instantly, the “thinner” depth was much less obvious. A side-by-side spec comparison shows that the second-gen Nest measured 3.2 inches in diameter (8.1cm) and 1.26 inches in depth (3.2cm). The new thermostat is a touch bigger at 3.3 inches in diameter (8.4cm), but slimmer with a depth of 1.21 inches (3.1cm).
That tiny 0.05-inch difference really doesn’t make much of a difference, but other upgrades give the rounded Nest an even bigger edge over the touchpad-style and now somewhat dated-looking Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart or Ecobee3, two of its closest competitors in the smart thermostat market.
The “analog” clock option on the new Nest 3.0.
John Kim/CNET
Features
The third-gen Nest Learning Thermostat also boasts a handful of new features. Where previous Nest thermostats relied on near-field sensors alone (which have a roughly 3-foot range) to pick up on motion activity, this version tacks on a far-field sensor for a new function it calls Farsight. Farsight lets you see your thermostat’s target temperature or the current time in either “analog” or digital modes from a distance. That way, you can spot the time and temperature at a distance, without having to be on top of the Nest.
This may seem like a small update, but it actually brings a new level of interactivity to the hardware side. Where the previous model would only “wake up” when you were within about 3 feet (1 meter), you can now interact with the unit without having to walk directly by it. Instead, you can get an at-a-glance look at the time or the temperature from as far as 20 feet away. And, thanks to the new and improved resolution and the larger display, you’ll actually be able to read them.
Nest 3.0 also offers Family Accounts and Home/Away Assist, two new features that help improve performance. Family Accounts lets users in the same household set up their own Nest accounts (instead of the shared family accounts that the company offered previously). Once Family Accounts are created, Home/Away Assist jumps into action by tracking each person’s phone location. It isn’t exactly the same as geofencing, as there’s no geofenced range, but it does make it even easier for Nest to keep an eye on your whereabouts.
This model also adds a function it calls Furnace Heads-Up, for those with a forced-air furnace system. Essentially, this feature keeps track of the times your forced-air furnace automatically turns off to prevent overheating. And, if it senses that there’s a potential issue, it will alert you in the Nest app, on the thermostat screen and in your monthly energy usage email. Nest says it will add this feature to first- and second-generation Nest thermostats “later this year.”
Ecobee3 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, HomeKit-enabled review – CNET
The Good The $249 Ecobee3 comes with an installation workaround in case your system doesn’t have a C wire, as well as a remote sensor that extends its temperature-and-motion-sensing range.
The Bad Many existing HVACs don’t have or need a C wire, and Ecobee’s fix isn’t for novices.
The Bottom Line While the Ecobee3 doesn’t quite match the design and usability of the Nest Learning Thermostat, it is definitely worthy of your consideration.
Editors’ note, June 10, 2016: This review has been updated with details on IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit integrations.
Editors’ note, November 19, 2014: Ecobee recently released version 1.1.1 of its Ecobee3 app and adjusted the sensitivity of its touchscreen. I have since retested the thermostat and the text and overall score have been updated accordingly.
Toronto-based Ecobee may not have the name recognition of Honeywell or Nest, but it was actually the first company to come out with an app-enabled thermostat. Its initial line of smart thermostats was funneled through dealers though, which limited the brand’s ability to compete in the do-it-yourself arena.
To satisfy this new market, the company has rolled out the $249 Ecobee3 (£155/AU$285), a DIY climate kit comprised of a Wi-Fi thermostat and a remote temperature sensor that work with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and more. It doesn’t quite have the same design appeal as Nest, but the Ecobee3 is a thermostat I can wholeheartedly recommend.
All eyes on the Ecobee3 smart thermostat…
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Getting started
Your installation success will vary a lot depending on your HVAC system and your level of electrical wiring savvy. The ideal will have a five-wire system, in which case you can literally just swap out your old thermostat for your new Ecobee3.
If your HVAC unit only has four wires running to your thermostat, you’re not out of luck, but you will have an extra step to deal with. The Ecobee3 requires a C (or Common) wire connection, which you won’t find on a four-wire HVAC system. To get around this problem, Ecobee includes something called a Power Extender Kit with your purchase free of charge that does the work of the C wire without you actually having to add that pesky fifth wire yourself (or having to call an electrician to do it for you).
You will need to know your way around your HVAC system to install the Extender Kit, since you need to connect it directly to the controller board on your HVAC unit, provided yours is new enough to have one. If not, you can still reconfigure the wiring, but budding DIYers will likely want to call in some experienced help. Whether you use the Extender Kit or not, this all seems unnecessary given that the competing Honeywell Lyric and Nest Learning Thermostat will both work fine on a four-wire system.
For my own installation, I had to go with the rewire option given my near 20-year old HVAC unit. I had help from Steve Conaway, one of our technical editors, who rewired my unit to give it a C wire. It worked, but it certainly wasn’t convenient.
Once the Ecobee3 was installed, it recognized the wires I connected and walked me through the configuration process. This included adding my home Wi-Fi details, selecting Fahrenheit or Celsius — all of the stuff you’d expect from an initial thermostat setup. I also paired the included remote sensor to the thermostat, which took about a minute. The remote sensor is a handy extra that comes with the Ecobee3. It essentially acts as a standalone ambient indoor temperature monitor you can put in another room. It can also tell the thermostat whether you’re home or away.
View full gallery The registration process.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Registration is the final hurdle between connecting your thermostat to the Web and mobile apps and enjoying the full functionality of your Ecobee3. The early production versions of both were extremely glitchy, but I revisited them about 6 weeks after the original review date. The displays looks the same, but the wonky usability issues are gone. That means that you can expect a much breezier registration process and interaction with the apps overall.
The Gear Fit 2 is Samsung’s best wearable yet
Samsung has made plenty of wearables over the years, but few were as immediately impressive as the Gear Fit. Its curved screen and relatively slim design almost made us forget the company’s early, clunky Gear smartwatches. Now with the $179 Gear Fit 2, Samsung has refined its original design to make it a lot more useful for athletes. It has built-in GPS, a slightly larger screen and smarter activity tracking. It’s Samsung’s best fitness wearable yet, but it’s still a tough sell compared to competing devices from the likes of Fitbit.
Hardware
The Gear Fit 2 is an evolution of the original Fit’s design in all of the right ways. Its 1.58-inch curved touchscreen display is now flush with the band, so that it no longer sticks out awkwardly. It reminds me of Microsoft’s Band 2, which also benefited from having a curved display sitting right alongside the wristband. The screen is also slightly wider now, which makes it more useful for actually reading information, and there’s less of a bezel around the sides so it’s almost like an edge-to-edge display.
Beyond that screen, the Gear Fit 2 looks restrained. The top half of the device is made from some fetching-looking metal, while the bottom is more of a subdued plastic. There are only two buttons on the side of the device, which serve as home and power buttons. On the bottom there’s a heart rate sensor and two small connectors for its charging stand. The relatively minimalist design is a stark cry from the overly complex wearables we used to see from Samsung.
For the wristband, it looks like Samsung is using the same plastic material from the last model, which remains flexible yet sturdy without feeling too stiff. You can disconnect the wristbands easily from the sides of the device, which will be useful if you ever feel the need for a new look down the line.
Under the hood, the Gear Fit 2 now runs a dual-core 1GHz Exynos 3250 processor and 512MB of RAM. (As someone who remembers being very excited when I got 512MB of RAM on a desktop, I find that latter stat hard to fathom.) Both of those specs are significant upgrades from the first Fit, which had a measly 160MHz processor and 8MB of RAM. It’s no wonder we found the original to be underpowered. There’s also GPS onboard the Fit 2 now, along with 4GB of storage for music and a barometer sensor for stair tracking.
Software
Samsung is using its homegrown Tizen OS to power the Gear Fit 2, something it also uses in TVs andother wearables like the Galaxy Gear 2. And instead of being tied to Samsung’s phones, the Fit 2 is now compatible with any Android phone running 4.4 or above. There’s no word about iOS support yet, though. (Is it even worth the effort?)
Thanks to Tizen, the Fit 2 is much more capable than its predecessor. You’ve got multiple watch faces to choose from (and more can be downloaded through the Gear app), some of which will show fitness stats alongside the time. You can also customize the screens you see as you swipe through the Fit’s interface. I have it set up to show the number calories I’ve burned, the number of steps and stairs I’ve taken, and my heart rate. Naturally, there’s also a screen for quickly logging a workout.
The Fit 2 supports 15 different workout types, including common things like running and cycling, and more specific activities like yoga and pilates. It’s now smart enough too to automatically detect five different types of workouts, something competing health trackers from Fitbit and Jawbone have been able to do for years.
Thanks to its onboard storage (and vastly more functional OS), the Gear Fit 2 can also send locally stored music right to your wireless headphones. It can also control music stored on your phone, and it can tap into Spotify through your phone as well. Basically, if you prefer to run completely unencumbered, or with your phone, the Fit 2 has you covered.
To control the Gear Fit 2, you’ll have to rely on Samsung’s Gear app for Android. And to track your workouts, there’s Samsung’s S Health app. More on those in a moment.
In use
In day-to-day use, the Gear Fit 2 felt just as comfortable to wear as the Apple Watch Sport and Jawbone’s Up24 (which are among my favorite wearables). It sits well on your wrist; most of the time you’ll forget it’s even there. I’d still like to see Samsung make it even thinner, so that it doesn’t rise above your wrist as much, but the Fit 2 is nonetheless on par with competing wearables in terms of thickness.
I also had no problem putting it on, and keeping it stable, throughout the day. The Fit 2 has a simple clasp design that makes it easy to slip on while you’re on the go. That’s a good thing, because I’ve fought with plenty of wearables (especially from Fitbit) that are simply a chore to secure. And even though it’s easy to wear, I also had no trouble with the Fit 2 falling off (which was a killer issue with the Jawbone Up 3).
When it comes to tracking basic things like your steps and stairs climbed, the Gear Fit 2 seemed just as accurate as most other modern wearables. Its heart-rate tracking was also solid, delivering readings in line with what I’ve been seeing from the Apple Watch and recent Fitbit gear. But really, if you’re buying this you’re probably more interested in its GPS tracking, and in that regard it didn’t disappoint. It accurately mapped several of my runs through Brooklyn’s Prospect Park (I have a two-mile stretch that I cover regularly). It was also on par with RunKeeper’s location tracking, which I normally use on my iPhone during workouts.
Setting up a manual workout takes a lot of swiping and menu pressing, if you’re moving between a variety of exercise types. But if you mainly do the same sort of workout, it’s pretty easy to just get up and go. The Fit 2’s touchscreen response is fast for such a small wearable, but even so, it’s not something you’d want to deal with much in the middle of an intense session.
The Fit 2 also surprised me several times by accurately tracking how long I walked during my work commute. That’s something other wearables have been doing for a while, but it’s still a useful addition for Samsung fans. It’s also the sort of thing wearables will have to get smarter about moving forward, so hopefully Samsung will be able to add automatic tracking support for more than just five workout types.
While you can view some basic post-workout details on the Gear Fit 2, you’ll have to turn to Samsung’s S Health app for a more detailed view. It’s a fairly clean looking app: The home screen highlights your most recent workouts, heart rate readings and steps. Tapping into a workout lays out everything you’ve done that day, and you can also step backwards to previous days pretty easily. Despite its minimalist look, I still had some trouble navigating around S Health. And it wasn’t always obvious how to access more detailed information about workouts. But perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by better health apps from Fitbit and Jawbone.
As a smartwatch-like device, the Gear Fit 2 fares well. It can display notifications from your phone, and even though it has a tiny screen, there’s enough room to read short text messages and tweets. It’s not a screen where you’d ever want to read long emails, but that’s true of dedicated smartwatches too. You can also have the Fit 2 open up apps on your phone from its notifications, which helped me quickly reply to Hangout messages and texts on several occasions.
Samsung claims the Gear Fit 2 gets around three to four days of battery life from its 200mAh battery. In my testing, which involved constantly wearing it throughout the day and doing a few runs, it usually lasted around two and a half days before needing a trip to the outlet. Speaking of recharging, I was pleased to find that Samsung moved towards a larger charging cradle for the Fit 2. That may sound paradoxical, but the original Fit’s cradle was so small that I ended up losing it pretty quickly. This new version is better suited to staying in one place on your desk.
The competition
The Fitbit Surge.
Since it’s a GPS-enabled fitness wearable, the Gear Fit 2 is best compared to the likes of the Fitbit Surge ($229) and the Microsoft Band 2 ($175). Aesthetically, it has a lot more in common with the Band 2, but if you can get past its looks, the Fitbit Surge is probably a better buy for fitness junkies. Fitbit has a much more robust fitness platform, as well as better integration with third-party services. As with all wearables, aesthetics plays a big part in the purchasing decision, though, so it’s understandable if you’d rather have a better-looking tracker instead of a more functional one.
Wrap-up
With the Gear Fit 2, Samsung has succeeded in making a capable and stylish fitness tracker. But it also doesn’t do anything significantly better or differently than the competition. It feels like a fitness tracker meant for people who really want something to match their Samsung phones, rather than something every consumer would desire. It’s ultimately unremarkable, but that’s mainly because there are so many decent alternatives out there.
Anova Precision Cooker Bluetooth + Wi-Fi review – CNET
The Good The easy-to-use $199 Anova Precision Cooker Bluetooth + Wi-Fi cooks food that retains its moisture and keeps a steady water-bath temperature. The device is also poised to have expanded connectivity to Apple’s HomeKit in the future, a promising prospect if you’re interested in smart home technology.
The Bad Other than the Wi-Fi, the Anova’s latest precision cooker isn’t much different than its predecessor, the $179 Anova Precision Cooker with Bluetooth. Like other sous vide devices, you still have to properly prep food in plastic bags before you place it in your water bath and sear some items at the end of your cooking time.
The Bottom Line The Anova Wi-Fi makes it easy to sous vide from afar, thanks to a response app that the company keeps improving. This is a good product to add to your own kitchen drawer.
Editors’ note, June 9, 2016: Anova Culinary has updated the app that pairs with the Wi-Fi portion of this sous vide device. We tested the new features and updated the review below.
Anova is poised to make its precision cooker more than just a part of your kitchen. The manufacturer wants to use Wi-Fi to make its sous vide appliance an active part of your life outside the home. The company just released the Anova Precision Cooker Bluetooth + Wi-Fi, a $199 sous vide device that heats and circulates water to cook vacuum-sealed foods. The price converts roughly to £130 in the UK and AU$275 in Australia.
More Anova product reviews
- Anova One Sous Vide Circulator
- Anova Precision Cooker
This is the company’s second connected product for home cooks; the previous Anova Precision cooker has just Bluetooth, which gives users the ability to control the cooker from across the house, but not across town. Besides the addition of Wi-Fi, the newest Anova isn’t much different than the Bluetooth-only model, which costs $20 less. Both cookers are nearly identical, as is their cooking performances.
The most notable difference is the app that pairs with the Wi-Fi unit. When I first reviewed the Anova Wi-Fi in November, I knocked the companion app for being too spare with its features and limited in its commands, especially when I compared it to Anova’s previous, more robust app for its Bluetooth-only models. However, Anova has updated the Wi-Fi app with cooking guides, pictures and an ice-bath setup feature that improve the way you connect and cook with the Anova Wi-Fi. Anova eventually plans to merge both apps so that Wi-Fi users can also access the library of recipes and guides that Bluetooth users have. This latest Wi-Fi app update is a successful step toward bridging this gap in features I lamented a few months ago.
Anova has aggressive long-term plans for its latest cooker. The Anova Wi-Fi has been available in select Apple stores alongside other connected home products such as the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer and Philips Hue light bulbs. This spring, the company began to bring the immersion circulator into some Target stores, and the device will start appearing on Best Buy shelves this summer. There are also plans to make the Anova compatible with HomeKit, Apple’s software platform built into iOS 8 and iOS 9 that integrates with Siri to control compatible devices, the company says.
The Anova Precision Cooker Bluetooth + Wi-Fi makes a strong case for adding sous vide to your kitchen routine. It doesn’t have the versatility of countertop systems like the Paragon Induction Cooktop or the Oliso SmartHub & Top. Fortunately, an immersion circulator like the Anova comes with a lower price and takes up less room than bigger sous vide systems. Pair those advantages with an improving app that sous vide cooking more convenient, and you’ve got a product that hard to dismiss.
Anova heats up sous vide with Wi-Fi (pictures)
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A sous vide primer
At last year’s IFA electronics show in Berlin, at least one European appliance company executive was skeptical of the American appetite for sous vide. This cooking method, which has been around since the 1970s, involves two parts: vacuum-sealing food in a plastic bag and cooking the bag in a controlled environment with the help of an often-pricey device. Sous vide has seen enough success overseas to warrant the creation of built-in sous vide systems such as the KitchenAid Chef Touch Sous Vide Column. It could be years or even decades before Americans are ready to etch out a special spot in their kitchens for such an intricate system. But manufacturers such as Anova have spent the past several years creating sous vide tools that fit on countertops or in drawers to nudge curious American home cooks toward adopting sous vide.
The device slides into an adjustable ring clamp that screws onto the side of a pot and suspends the stainless-steel covered pump, heating coil and temperature sensors into the water.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Easy-to-use device gets the app it deserves
You don’t need a lot of space or equipment for the Anova Wi-Fi. The precision cooker is identical to the Bluetooth version: a 14.75-inch-long column topped with a circular LCD display that shows the current temperature of the water and the set temperature the cooker is trying to reach. There is also a start-stop button and a Wi-Fi indicator on the display. The streamlined display is much simpler than the touchscreen Anova One Sous Vide Circulator. An LED backlit scroll wheel beneath the display lets you adjust the set temperature easily. The device slides into an adjustable ring clamp that screws onto the side of a pot and suspends the stainless-steel covered pump, heating coil and temperature sensors into the water.
Google OnHub router hands-on impressions
Let’s not pretend here, Google first introduced their OnHub router nearly a year ago. The early model was built by TP-Link and can now be had with colorful shells. The second version, which is what we have here today, is built by ASUS.
Designed to provide the best overall range, speeds and connectivity, the ASUS built OnHub Router has a balanced antenna arrangement. Its trick up its plastic sleeve is that it allows you to specify network priority for specific devices with just the wave of a hand.
ASUS Google OnHub – Amazon
Related reading:
- Google’s new ASUS OnHub router can be sped up with the wave of a hand
- Google On – OnHub companion app now available from the Play Store
- Google unveils OnHub: a $200 smart Wi-Fi router that’s controlled by an app
Overview
First things first, if you are reading this to help figure out if you should buy the TP-Link or the ASUS version of the OnHub Router, we’ll talk theory, but we do not have the TP-Link on hand for real life testing.
Designed to be out in the open, the OnHub router is one of the more aesthetically pleasing devices to look at. Both are plastic cylinders a few inches wide and double that tall. A controllable LED light casts a glow out the bottom of the router, with different colors indicating different connectivity situations.
With a focus on ease of use, setting up the OnHub router is a matter of plugging it in and connecting to it with the Google On Android app. Simply fire up the app and follow the step in the app. All of the confusing stuff happens in the background, you basically just provide a SSID and password for your network. Sadly, those looking for advanced configurations may be disappointed here, OnHub has a few advanced tools by default, and more is available via Developer Options, but it’s no DD-WRT… Not even close.
Google On – Google Play Store
Sorry, geeking out there a little. So, you set up your basic network, then you can setup a guest network, we’ll talk about this one later, it’s pretty handy. Finally, the last little item we expect many will use is the device priority.
The ASUS OnHub router includes gesture controls, swipe your hand above the unit to turn on device priority. Controlled in the Google On app, you may specify one device (at a time) that will receive prioritization on your network for 1, 2 or 4 hours, depending on your settings. They promote this for things like your Chromecast, giving it the focus while you stream your favorite movie, but I use it to help speed up photo uploads for these posts.
Hardware
Now we are getting into the goods stuff, or, at least we are about to discuss why the rather steep price tag of the OnHub router might be worth it for you. Let’s start off with sound. Although there is little audio feedback to your actions by default, the ASUS OnHub router hides a rather large internal speaker.
We are still looking for fun ways to utilize this speaker, but it is certainly loud enough to handle Google Now and Assistant voice responses. Ignoring the fact that this is a router, made for connecting you to the internet, it really could be a cool Google Home device. It does, after all, handle many home automation protocols, like zigbee, to control your connected home. But not today.
Allow me to be blunt, all of the above design and features are a novelty. They certainly do not add enough value to warrant the cost of the OnHub router, at least not for me. So, why did I buy one? In a word, antenna.
We’ve all seen the old WiFi routers with the adjustable antennas poking out the back, pointing in all directions in an attempt to provide the best coverage. Not only has the OnHub router hidden the antennas, all 13 of them, but they’ve deployed a familiar commercial grade router circular pattern to provide even coverage in all directions.
Twelve of those antenna provide your devices with a connection through several different WiFi frequencies, and the thirteenth is used to scan the local airwaves. Every five minutes your area is evaluated, and OnHub will adjust channel settings and more to provide you the best possible connection under the circumstance.
ASUS vs TP-Link
I want to keep this simple, aside from a few simple differences between the two, the reason I chose the ASUS OnHub instead of the TP-Link version is, again, antenna.
My understanding of the devices is as follows: The ASUS OnHub has antenna made of superior materials that should provide slightly better speed and distance on your network. But just barely. Second, the ASUS unit has that pretty much evenly placed circular layout of antenna, the TP-Link, on the other hand, provides more of a directional WiFi range.
Basically, as just one small way of comparing these two devices, if your router will live in a corner of the home, get the TP-Link unit so that you can focus the network into your home and not into your neighbors. Or, if you’re like me, the router lives in the middle of the house, providing a connection evenly to all four corners. Remember, it’s a theory more than anything.
Things I love about OnHub
Aside from the fact that I have difficulties with walls that block signals and similar such that the OnHub is handling like a champ, the fact that it automatically adjusts signal channel on a regular basis is important to me. I’m sure I’m not the only one with crowded airwaves, it’s marvelous not having to reset or even reconfigure the router to clean things up.
Next on my list, and this is hugely important, device connectivity limitations. My last router, a small WiFi ac unit, provided solid range and speeds, but by the time you connect five devices, it began to struggle. Connect ten devices and it would seriously drop the ball. I managed to connect 14 simultaneous devices, and it crashed. I mean, I don’t need to use a dozen tablets at one time, but I should be able to check my emails on one device while another controls my connected toaster, is that too much to ask?!?
I’m kidding, my toaster isn’t smart enough to evenly heat my bagel in the morning, I think WiFI would confuse it beyond reason. But, if it was a connected device, I am told I can connect over one hundred of them to my OnHub router.
I can’t help but stress test these sorts of things. I managed 15 simultaneous devices connected to the OnHub router. While my bandwidth was tapped out completely, I pushed a file over a local share just to see if the router was still responsive. It is my opinion that one minute forty five seconds to move a 1.4GB file over WiFi, between my Nexus 6P and Windows laptop, is acceptable on a busy router. I averaged about 5.5MB/s for several transfers under these conditions.
Finally, a feature in the guest network setup really appeals to me. Instead of having to mess with bouncing between networks to connect to things like Chromecast or a network share, you may easily create a tunnel to these devices for your guest network. Keep all of your private stuff where it belongs, then let your friends and family jump on the guest network and only give them access to certain devices. This may not be a new thing, but it is extremely simple to implement.
Reasons I question this purchase decision
How much router do you really need? A busy technology household, or a device reviewer like Josh, Lanh or the rest of our team, will have a multitude of devices kicking around at all times, are you one of them? Granted, I review tablets for our partner site, TabTimes, so I always have more than a few devices at hand myself, why can’t I get by with only connecting up to 5 at a time?
The truth is, I’m not likely to be using 5 or more devices at a given time, close, but still, I know I could make the old router work. Since it was already paid for, the new purchase took more than a few months to decide on.
Functionality is also of concern with the OnHub router. As I’ve mentioned, basic setup is extremely easy, advanced functions are few, but also easy. What if you want more, like the ability to change the DHCP range? Nope, sorry, out of luck. Until future functionality is added, in the basic sense of it all, the OnHub router is nothing more than a really simple router. A fantastic router, but the least user-configurable router I’ve ever seen.
Specifications
| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac AC 1900 (up to 1900Mb/s) Bluetooth Smart ready 802.15.4 ready Weave ready |
| Frequencies | 2.4 GHz 5 GHz |
| Ports and connectors | 1 x Gigabit WAN port 1 x Gigabit LAN port 1 x USB 3.0 port |
| Antenna | Congestion sensing WiFI radio Smart high-performance WiFi antennas |
| Additional features | Speaker Ambient light Proximity sensor |
| CPU / GPU | 1.4GHz Dual-core CPU |
| Dimensions and weight | 7.9″ (247mm) x 5.0″ (128mm) x 5.2″ (132mm) 1.7 lbs (076 kg) |
Wrap-up
In the end, I am a huge fan of the ASUS OnHub router. I admit that I took a bit of a gamble that Google will automatically update my device with cool new features one day, knowing full well that a router for half the price can be had with the same basic WiFi network capabilities.
This leaves me in a place that I haven’t been before on this site. Usually I can say that I either recommend or not a product or service. I am at a loss on the ASUS OnHub. As far as routers go, you do not need this device, but as far as routers go, you need this device.
Stay tuned, we will be bringing you more coverage of the ASUS OnHub router, particularly, we will explore some of the extensibility, customization and smart hub capabilities of this device. If this thing has a feature that will change how you stay connected, we plan to find it.
If you are ready to purchase, you can grab either OnHub router from the Google Store for $199, or head on over to Amazon where you can usually find the ASUS OnHub for under $175
ASUS Google OnHub – Amazon
Any other OnHub owners out there have words of experience to share? Bottom line, do you think the OnHub router is worth the price?
What’s next?
Getting started with IF by IFTTT on Google OnHub – Android customization
Lenovo Phab2 Pro Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
I’m walking around the conference room, aiming my Tango phone at the space between two chairs where Lenovo executives are sitting. A third empty chair, a plush leather one, sits on the carpet. I’m walking around it, seeing how it looks. But it isn’t real: it’s augmented, generated by an app on my phone screen. As I move around, it stays in place convincingly. I think to myself…I could use this to furniture-shop for my living room without even lifting a finger.
If you haven’t used Google’s Project Tango, or don’t even know what it is, let me simplify: it’s a depth-sensing 3D camera system that can scan the world around you and help place virtual objects in the real world. It might be the future of where smart cameras are headed. And it could be a sign of how phones might evolve further into world-scanning powerhouses.
Josh Miller/CNET
Google’s been developing Tango for years as a way to measure distances in 3D space, map out indoor areas, and create virtual and augmented reality, floating virtual objects into real space. Now, Lenovo’s got the world’s first ready-to-buy Tango phone, and it’s calling it the Lenovo Phab2 Pro. And it’ll be available this September.
What Tango can do
CNET’s seen Tango in action many times, doing all sorts of funky things: simulating furniture shopping, navigating museums, diving in giant VR aquariums. Tango has been in a developer-kit tablet for a while, where it was used for lots of experimental ideas. Tango’s chief skills are depth-sensing, location-mapping, and placing virtual objects into reality with a better sense of accuracy. On the tablet, most apps were used in landscape mode. On the Phab2 Pro, most Tango apps are still landscape-mode oriented, too.
The Lenovo Phab2 Pro scans the world around…
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The apps I got to try were varied. One placed virtual furniture in the room I was in, allowing me to experiment with what would fit in real, physical space. Lowe’s is making one of the first potential Tango killer apps with Lowe’s Vision, which measures living space and then can layer in additions, furniture and decor to model in the space. Think Microsoft HoloLens, but instead of floating in front of your face you’re viewing things on your phone screen. The rear trio of Tango-enabled cameras have an infrared depth-sensing, a wide-angle lens, and can track motion.
There was another app where I was able to walk around the room I was in, while the Tango camera started generating a 3D photo-mapped model of where I was. This is Tango’s most amazing feature: with a bunch of these, you could walk around and map out interior spaces in full 3D. Tango’s also unique because it can not only measure, but learn about the shape of areas: where objects begin and end, and where walls and doorways are. At Google I/O, Google said it’s aiming to use this tech to map out interior places with the accuracy of outdoor maps. Maybe it’s to beef up Google Maps’ worldwide database. As an everyday person, however, I’m not still not sure how this would help anyone.
Josh Miller/CNET
That’s the biggest challenge with Tango: it still feels like tech seeking a killer app or purpose. But it definitely has a bunch of clever tricks up its sleeve.
There are a few games, too. I tried running around and shooting at virtual alien-things that hopped around the room I was actually in — the conference table, the chairs — much like some augmented reality phone games have already allowed for years. On Tango, the position tracking is far more accurate. It still feels a little silly. More impressively, I laid virtual dominoes on the nearby table and watched them knock down one by one. I walked around my domino creation, and it mostly stayed put — with a bit of drift that Lenovo says will be corrected by launch. I looked a 3D velociraptor model standing in the corner of the conference room.
Lenovo promises 22 Tango-ready apps for launch this year, and estimates up to 100 apps by the end of 2017. Those numbers may sound conservative. Tango still feels like a development project, in a lot of ways.
Smart cameras are the future (probably)
Tango isn’t the only type of smart camera tech lurking around: Intel’s 3D RealSense cameras have been around for years, and can also track depth. They’re making their way into other devices including helmets. Microsoft’s developed similar positional-tracking tech in the Kinect and in the HoloLens. Amazon tried something similar in spirit with the Fire Phone and its array of cameras. And Apple acquired Primesense, the company that created the Kinect, back in 2013.
Josh Miller/CNET
There have been many attempts at similar tech. Will Tango get it right?
Smarter cameras equipped with more advanced computer vision processing and deep learning could be the magic equation. Face and object recognition, auto navigation, and advanced mixed-reality applications that fuse the virtual and real. If phones get upgraded, smarter cameras, they could be doorways into a new future.
The Tango phone is called the Lenovo Phab2 Pro
Lenovo’s new Phab2 phone line comes in three models, all of them with massive 6.4-inch screens. The one with Google’s new magic Tango cameras — the Phab2 Pro — costs more ($499 unlocked in the US, equivalent to £345 UK or AU$672), and has an extra camera array on the back, arranged down the middle. There’s a wide-angle camera, plus infrared depth sensing and motion tracking.
The Phab2 Pro has a Quad HD-resolution display, 4GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor that’s specifically built for Tango. The phone’s large size means it feels more like a tablet than a phone. But it’s smaller than the previous developer-edition Tango tablet, and more affordable. Plus, it’s a connected phone. For those reasons alone, it’ll likely be the new Tango device of choice. Whether it becomes more depends on apps.
Specs
- 6.4-inch Quad HD (2560×1440) IPS display
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB storage
- microSD up to 128GB
- 4,050mAh battery with fast charging
- Dual SIM slots
- Rear 16MP fast-focus camera with Tango depth sensor and motion tracking
- Front 8MP fixed-focus camera, F2.2 aperture
- Triple-array active noise cancellation
- Dolby Atmos + Dolby Audio Capture 5.1
Motorola Moto Z Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
A gentle snap, a twinkly beep. The Moto Z now has a new function.
Suddenly phones have gone modular. It’s like a throwback to the pre-smartphone days (anyone remember the Handspring?) Motorola’s new flagship high-end phone, the Moto Z, has glass, a metal frame, top-end specs, and a slick look.
But it’s the modular accessories, called Moto Mods, that make the Moto Z interesting by adding optional hardware to the Moto Z and its enhanced, longer-battery sibling, Moto Z Force — like a projector and extended battery. Lenovo, which bought Motorola in 2014, is making its own accessories and partnering with third-party accessory makers to develop these Moto Mod extras. These phones are coming this summer via Verizon in the US, and the Moto Z (but not Force) is going global with unlocked models in September.
Unlike the modular parts in the LG G5 or the conceptual Google Project Ara phones, you can hot-swap the Moto Z’s extra backs without turning off the phone. Popping one on or off takes seconds.
See the Moto Z’s snappy, magnetic personality
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Thin, with flashy extras
The Moto Z is aiming to be Moto’s high-end flagship. Its specs back that up, from a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display to USB-C charging port, expandable SD card storage, a Snapdragon 820 processor and a fancy glass-and-metal frame. An even more upmarket version, the Moto Z Force, will be a US Verizon exclusive offering more battery life, a stepped-up 21MP camera, shatter-resistant glass, and faster fast charging.
There are customization options including rose gold (of course), and a variety of interchangeable snap-on backs that add some of the old Moto Maker design flair. Wood, fabric, even cork. Without a snap-on back, the Moto Z looks super-thin. But its large rear camera lens juts out a bit.
You don’t need a Mod snapped on at all to enjoy the Moto Z. Without one, the phone has a sleek, attractive design. But it’s almost too thin. With a snap-on back, the phone feels a little more finished — and the rear lens lies flush.
Want a projector? Snap it on!
James Martin/CNET
Meet the Mods
Moto Z’s multipin magnetic connector port (gold-plated to protect against corrosion) can carry a large load, with 6Gbps data transfer. I tried a few different Mod accessories, and they snapped on and off easily, locking into place with strong magnets. But the mods only protect the Moto Z’s back. I worried they’d snap apart if I dropped the phone, but it seemed to hold up in my pocket.
Moto has a few accessories ready to go. The JBL Sound Boost is a speaker snap-on with added battery life and a kickstand. It’s seriously loud.
JBL’s speaker mod, attached.
James Martin/CNET
The Insta-Share Projector mod has an LED projector that throws a 70-inch screen onto a nearby wall, the same tech that was in the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro.
Incipio is another third-party accessory maker that’s first out of the gate, making battery-pack snap-on back covers with built-in wireless charging (the Moto Z has lots of high-end specs, but no wireless charging in the phone itself.)
The Mods could be used for accessories like VR, or even cameras. Motorola executives have said the team is looking at other areas for expansion, including payment and health care, for different ways to use the accessory port.
Mods could include cameras, VR accessories and more.
James Martin/CNET
Modding the future…with no headphone jack
The Moto Z’s magnetic accessory port will only be as good as the accessories that are made for it, and how widely spread this unique port will be. Motorola/Lenovo representatives wouldn’t commit to this port showing up on other Moto phones when I spoke to them, but did promise that the port would stick around in future Moto Z phones so that the Mod accessories could be used on future products. Of course, I’ll believe that when I see it. The road to the future of modular phones is paved with discarded proprietary detritus.
But the idea of a quick-access, high-speed way to add accessories that make a phone do more sounds great…if the connection port can become a standard.
There’s one reason, however, that I doubt Moto Mods would make much sense for the average person. On the bottom of the Moto Z, there is another even more powerful port that could help it do even more: USB-C. Which, by the way, is the only way you’ll be able to listen to music. A USB-C-to-standard-headphone adapter comes in the Moto Z box, at least. Sounds like the iPhone 7 rumors aren’t so crazy after all.
Specs
- 5.5-inch AMOLED
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 4GB RAM
- Android Marshmallow with Moto-enhanced apps
- 32/64GB storage
- microSD card up to 2TB
- 13MP rear camera, optical image stabilization, dual-LED flash
- 5MP front-facing camera with flash
- 2,600mAh battery
- USB-C port
- Fingerprint sensor
Motorola Moto Z Force Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
A phone that won’t break. That’s the dream. And it’s one that became a reality last year when Motorola released the Droid Turbo 2. The phone featured what the company called ShatterShield, which protected the screen from cracking or shattering. Motorola even guaranteed the screen wouldn’t crack for up to four years.
The company is now back with its second shatter-proof phone, the Moto Z Force. The phone is an exclusive to Verizon, and unlike its new sibling, the Moto Z, it isn’t slated to be made available outside of the US or on another carrier. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the Force is expected to be released sometime mid-summer.
See the Moto Z’s snappy, magnetic personality
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The Force is essentially a souped-up version of the Z, a new flagship phone announced by Lenovo at its Tech World event. It shares the same Quad HD display, speedy processor and promise of snap-on magnetic accessories, but adds an improved 21-megapixel rear camera, a larger battery with faster charging and of course that shatterproof screen. The Force also supports those cool Moto Mods, which connect to the back of the phone to add additional functionality and customization. You can read more about the Moto Z and Moto Mods here.
I got to spend some time with the Force in person. Here are a few things I noticed:
It’s bigger, but not too bulky
The Force is almost 2mm thicker than the Z and weighs about 30 grams more (163g in total), but it didn’t feel too big or too heavy. It’s still lighter than the Moto X Pure and also doesn’t have the slightly curved back the Pure had. The Force is sleek and stylish with a straight back and sturdy metal design. The large camera lens, however, does stick out quite a bit.
The Moto Z (left) compared to the Moto Z Force (right).
James Martin/CNET
Battery life sounds good
The Force is equipped with a big 3,600mAh battery, 900mAh more than the normal Z and 600mAh larger than last year’s Moto X Pure (up to 40 hours of mixed usage, according to Lenovo).
There’s no built-in wireless charging (although you can add it later through a Moto Mod back), but there is very fast charging, faster than the thinner Z: up to 15 hours of usage in only 15 minutes.
A better camera
The Force is equipped with a 21-megapixel rear camera (compared to 13-megapixel on the Z) and a 5-megapixel wide angle lens on the front (with a flash). Motorola has said the camera is its best yet, thanks to new features like laser autofocus and phase detection autofocus, of which the latter is exclusive to the Force. It also includes optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture.
James Martin/CNET
USB-Type C, but no headphone port?
The Z and Force are the first Motorola phones to include USB Type-C, the successor to the microUSB port found in last year’s models.
Oddly enough, however, both the Z and the Force don’t include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead you get a 3.5mm to USB C adapter. It looks like Apple won’t be the only one to ditch the headphone jack.
James Martin/CNET
Too bad it’s Verizon only
In the short time I spent with the Force, I became quite fond of it. The shatterproof screen, better camera and longer battery life would appear to make it a worthy upgrade to the Z. It’s just a shame that you have to be on Verizon to get it.
Specs
- 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 2,560×1440-pixel resolution (535 ppi)
- 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor
- 21-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus
- 5-megapixel wide-angle front camera with flash
- 32GB or 64GB of internal storage
- A microSD card slot to expand storage up to 2TB
- 3,500mAh battery
- 4GB of RAM
- A fingerprint scanner
- USB Type-C (with an included 3.5mm adapter)
- Android Marshmallow
Lenovo Phab 2 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
The Lenovo Phab 2 has a 13-megapixel rear camera and adds an augmented reality mode.
Lenovo
The Lenovo Phab 2 is the least expensive phone of this second generation of Lenovo phablets, and while it doesn’t incorporate Google’s Project Tango technology (the Phab 2 Pro does) or the dual rear camera found in the Phab 2 Plus, it still offers some augmented reality tricks.
The 13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera have an Augmented Reality (AR) mode that allows you to add different effects and virtual objects to your photos and videos. For example, the AR mode allows you to change backgrounds or add cartoons and drawings to your photos or videos.
Similar to other phones of the Phab 2 series, this phone has a huge 6.4-inch screen, packs Android Marshmallow, a relatively similar design and a 4,050mAh battery that promises a full day of use on one charge.
However, unlike Lenovo’s Project Tango cellphone (Phab 2 Pro) that integrates a QHD resolution screen and the Phab 2 Plus that comes with a full HD, the Lenovo Phab 2 has an HD resolution screen, which makes the experience a bit less pleasant given its big size (6.4-inches).
The Phab 2 integrates the same 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and has a microSD card slot for up to 128GB.
Lenovo
Unlike the the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro and Phab 2 Plus, the Lenovo Phab 2 does not include a fingerprint sensor, but it does pack sound technology from Dolby Atmos, promising a pleasant surround sound experience.
As to other specs, the Lenovo Phab 2 uses a MediaTek MTK-8735 chip, which is less powerful than other members of its family.
Price and availability
The Lenovo Phab 2 will be available worldwide in September at US$199.
Lenovo
First impression
The Lenovo Phab 2 is different from its competitors — be that a good or bad thing. It’s huge, 6.4-inch screen makes it difficult to hold with one hand or easily fit in your pockets. Its low resolution screen makes photos and videos look good, but not vibrant as in other phablets.
Yet, at a low price of $199 and some augmented reality tricks, it’s a phone that could be fun to use for some photo and video enthusiasts.
AIVAnet 